In pictures: Sierra Leone slum

Freetown’s population swelled during the civil war as people attempted to escape atrocities, in which rebels mutilated their victims by amputating arms and legs with machetes.

More than 60% have stayed in the capital, and still the rural-urban migration continues.

“People in the provinces still think they are better off here,” says Mohamed Sannoh from Save the Children.

“Many send their children to the city for the better facilities, only to end up in this kind of deplorable situation.”